PGP Encryption Guide for Darknet Communications
PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) is the foundation of secure communication on darknet markets. This guide covers everything from key generation to advanced usage patterns.
What is PGP?
PGP is a public-key encryption system that provides both confidentiality and authentication. Each user has two keys: a public key (shared freely) and a private key (kept secret). Data encrypted with your public key can only be decrypted with your private key. Digital signatures prove that a message came from you and hasn't been tampered with.
Installing GnuPG
GnuPG (GPG) is the free implementation of OpenPGP. Download from Gpg4win for Windows, GPG Suite for macOS, or use your package manager on Linux (apt install gnupg).
Generating a Key Pair
Run gpg --full-gen-key. Choose RSA and RSA (option 1). Select 4096 bits. Set an expiration date (2 years recommended). Enter a strong passphrase (20+ characters). Your key pair is now generated. Backup your private key: gpg --export-secret-keys --armor > mykey.asc. Store this backup offline, encrypted.
Importing and Verifying Keys
Import someone's public key: gpg --import key.asc. Verify the fingerprint: gpg --fingerprint [key-id]. Always verify fingerprints through a separate, trusted channel before trusting a key. The fingerprint is a 40-character hex string that uniquely identifies the key.
Encrypting and Decrypting
Encrypt a file: gpg --encrypt --recipient [key-id] file.txt. Decrypt: gpg --decrypt file.txt.gpg. For messages, use gpg --encrypt --armor --recipient [key-id] to get ASCII-armored output.
Signing and Verifying
Create a clear-signed message: gpg --clearsign message.txt. Verify: gpg --verify message.txt.asc. Sign a file: gpg --sign file.txt. Detached signatures: gpg --detach-sign file.txt creates a separate .sig file.
Key Management Best Practices
- Create a master key offline, use subkeys for daily activities
- Set expiration dates to limit damage from key compromise
- Revoke compromised keys immediately
- Upload public keys to keyservers for discovery
- Backup private keys securely (encrypted, offline)
For a practical PGP example, see our Security page. For key management in market contexts, read our Crypto Wallet guide.